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Home > Degree Programs > Teaching & Courses > 2009-2010 Course Listing > Microfinance in Theory and Practice
PED-328M: Microfinance in Theory and Practice
Faculty: Guy Stuart
Schedule
| Day | Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day | 9/3 | ||
| Meet Day | T/Th | 10:10 AM - 11:30 AM | RG-20 |
| Review |
Description
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide financial services to the poor. Financial services include credit, savings, and insurance. The definition of who is poor varies by country and region, but largely includes those who work within the informal economy in developing countries. This course introduces students to the practices of MFIs in a variety of different developing countries, including India, Mexico, Bolivia, Samoa, and Haiti. It identifies the wide varieties of practices and governance structures of these organizations and the issues they confront. The course focuses on three major issues: the impact of microfinance on the well-being of clients; the problems confronting managers of MFIs; and the funding and regulatory environment in which they operate. The course is taught through a mix of case discussion, lecture, and simulation exercises. Students who complete this course will have analyzed the various reasons for the existence of MFIs as well as the challenges MFI managers face.